Skatepark designs to be drawn up at Petworth youth centre

Petworth town councillors are driving forward a scheme for a skate park at the Sylvia Beaufoy Centre

They have enlisted two young people to help them draw up designs

Chichester District Council says time is running out to spend the money earmarked for the scheme

PLANS for a skatepark at the Sylvia Beaufoy Centre in Petworth are gathering momentum after more than a decade.

Vice-chairman of the town council, Roger Hanauer, said he had taken measurements in the car park and given them to ‘two young constructors’ who would work up a design.

I accept the Sylvia Beaufoy car park is still slightly controversial, but it is at present, the only site that’s hopeful

“At least then, we will know what we can put there without disrupting the car park,” he said.

“They will work up a design which takes on board the needs and the wishes of the young people and hopefully I will have some designs at the next meeting.”

He said he had received a letter from Lord Egremont reiterating his opposition to a skatepark at Hampers Green where a number of residents had objected.

But said Mr Hanauer: “Lord Egremont said he was very keen to see the project through and a skatepark would be good for the town.”

He and town council chairman Chris Kemp are now arranging a meeting with Sylvia Beaufoy chairman Clive Fish and youth worker Johnny Welch to discuss the plans.

“We want to drive forward with a bit of momentum,” he told town councillors.

A petition calling for skatepark facilities had already been signed by 75 young people, he said.

Town clerk Rebecca Knifton told the meeting: “After speaking to officers at Chichester District Council it is clear we have to respond with something very serious by the end of June or we will lose the money earmarked for the facilities in the town.”

Mr Kemp told fellow councillors: “I accept the Sylvia Beaufoy car park is still slightly controversial, but it is at present, the only site that’s hopeful.”

He added: “This has floated around Petworth for so long, we need to find solutions to the problems. We need to demonstrate we are very serious about it.”

Mr Kemp said the moves forward were a ‘huge demonstration’ of what the town council wanted to see provided in Petworth.

“We don’t have anything tangible to say we support our youth in the town and I have always tried to push that forward. These young people are the next bunch to inherit this place and we need to make sure they know we are paying attention to them.”

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